The “Ramona Book Series” by Beverly Cleary follows the adventures of Ramona Quimby, a spirited and imaginative girl growing up in Portland, Oregon. Ramona navigates school, family dynamics, and everyday challenges with a mix of mischief and heart.
From trying to be the star of a school performance in “Ramona the Pest” to grappling with big changes in “Ramona and Her Father,” the series gives readers a glimpse of childhood that’s funny and relatable.
Cleary’s stories capture Portland’s suburban life through the eyes of a young girl full of personality.
“Ramona and Her Father” by Beverly Cleary follows Ramona Quimby as she navigates life after her father loses his job. Ramona tries to find ways to help her family while dealing with the ups and downs of childhood.
Whether it’s scheming to make her father quit smoking or performing in a school Christmas play, Ramona’s determination and mischief shine through. The story captures her struggles and her unwavering love for her family.
The sequel “Under Wildwood: The Wildwood Chronicles, Book 2” by Colin Meloy continues the adventures of Prue and Curtis in the magical world of Wildwood. Prue is drawn deeper into the mysteries of this strange forest, while Curtis faces new challenges in his own journey.
The story introduces a secret underground city, hidden dangers, and alliances that shape the fate of the characters and the forest.
The book “Wildwood: The Wildwood Chronicles, Book 1” by Colin Meloy takes readers into a magical forest hidden on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon.
In the story, twelve-year-old Prue McKeel sets out to rescue her baby brother, who has been kidnapped by crows and taken into this mysterious place called the Impassable Wilderness.
Along the way, she encounters talking animals, warring factions, and a secret world filled with danger and wonder.
Michael Hornburg wrote “Bongwater,” a novel about a young man named David navigating life in Portland during the 1990s.
David spends his days dealing with his eccentric friends, trying to make art, and struggling with his feelings for Courtney, a free-spirited woman who complicates his life.
The book showcases the quirks and chaos of Portland’s grunge era, blending moments of humor, heartbreak, and youthful aimlessness.
“Gone, But Not Forgotten” by Phillip Margolin is a thriller about a serial killer who seems to disappear without a trace, only for similar crimes to resurface years later in a different location.
The story weaves its way from New York to Portland, where a lawyer and detective work together to uncover the truth. The case involves secret identities, shocking twists, and a dark look into the mind of a killer.
The novel “Hard Rain Falling” by Don Carpenter tells the story of Jack Levitt, a young drifter navigating the gritty streets of Portland, Oregon. It explores his tumultuous life, marked by crime, incarceration, and personal struggles.
The book captures the raw and unforgiving world he inhabits, highlighting his relationships and the moments that shape him.
The book “Blue Like Jazz” by Donald Miller is a memoir about the author’s journey of understanding faith and spirituality. Set partly in Portland, it reflects on his time at Reed College, an environment known for its liberal culture.
Miller shares personal anecdotes, including his interactions with students and the unique ways he explored what it means to live authentically while wrestling with deep questions about life and belief.
“The Librarianist” by Patrick deWitt follows the life of Bob Comet, a retired librarian who lives a solitary, quiet existence in Portland, Oregon. After a chance encounter with a lost elderly woman, Bob gets involved at a senior center, which leads to reflections on his past.
Through glimpses of his earlier days, including his childhood and moments of love and loss, the novel paints a picture of an unassuming man who has experienced a life shaped by quiet choices and unexpected turns.
Blake Nelson’s “Paranoid Park” follows a teenage skateboarder who accidentally gets involved in a violent death near a skate park in Portland. The story captures his anxiety and guilt as he tries to keep the incident hidden while navigating the complexities of adolescence.
The book offers a raw and honest look at moral struggles through the lens of a young protagonist.